Display container



Nov. 23, 1943. H. L. MYERS DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Jan. 23, 1942 INVENTOR. 161 4201. 0 L MYERS BY fi- M A 7'TOR/VEY Patented Nov. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The invention relates to display containers and has for its object to provide a foldable container normally comprising a flat blank and capable of being foldably set up in a simple manner to constitute an efiicient container possessing an inherent rigidity and capable of receiving and containing in an efiective way the merchandise for which it is designed.

The invention contemplates further the provision of a foldable container which is relatively shallow in depth and which, in spite of this fact, is of maximum inherent rigidity and efficiency when set up for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the indicated type which includes a foldable cover combined with novel means whereby said cover may be retained in its closed position or selectively supported in an upright display position in which the contents of the body of the container are exposed and displayed in an attractive manner for easy distribution at will to purchasers.

Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates an example of the invention without defining its limits,

Fig. 1 is a face view of a blank from which the container may be constructed;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container in the process of being foldably set up for use;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container partly broken away illustrating the cover in its upright display position;

Fig. 4 is a plan view somewhat enlarged of the container body in its foldable set up position, and

Fig. 5 is a detail cross section on a further enlarged scale taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l.

In the form illustrated, the blank from which the container is constructed comprises a bottom panel Ill which may be of any suitable or predetermined dimensions and generally is of rectangular shape, and which includes side panels I I extending along opposite sides of the bottom panel III and foldably connected therewith in any convenient manner as by means of score lines I2. Associate panels I3 extend along the outer edges of the side panels I I and are foldably connected therewith in any suitable way as by means of score lines I4. In the assembled set up condition of the container, the side panels II are provided with shoulders which when the container is set up for use are located in opposed relation at one end of the container body for the pur-' pose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. In the illustrated example these shoulders are provided by the ends I5 of the associate panels I3 which are arranged to be folded on the score lines I4 or their equivalent, into surface engagement with the side panels I I and secured thereto in any convenient manner as by means of glue or other adhesive.

In the form shown in the drawing, the associate panels I3 are of less length than the side panels I I so that when said associate panels I3 are folded into and secured in surface engagement with the side panels I I, the aforesaid shoulders I5 will be located at a distance from one end of each of the side panels I I as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. It will be understood that the specific arrangement illustrated in the drawing is not an arbitrary one and that the ends I5 of the associate panels I3 may be located nearer to the one end of each side panel II than shown, if this should be desired.

Suitable foldable means is provided for constituting one end wall of the container body as will appear more fully hereinafter. In its illustrated form this foldable means comprises a panel I6 foldably connected with one end of the bottom panel II), for instance, by means of a score line H and a co-operating panel I8 foldably connected with the panel I6, for instance, by means of a score line I9, and a bottom panel 20 foldably connected with the panel I8, for instance, through the medium of a score line 2I.' The foldable means in the illustrated example in addition includes end flaps 22 foldably connected with the side panels II at one end thereof, for instance, by means of score lines 23.

The means whereby the opposite end wall of the container body is provided comprises a novel arrangement of foldably connected elements combined and co-operating in a novel manner to provide a structure of maximum simplicity and rigidity. As shown in the drawing, the last mentioned means includes an end panel Zifoldably connected with the bottom panel II] at an end thereof in any suitable manner as by meansofai score line 25. The end panel 24 includes a.s1ot.26 located at an intermediate point of said panel 2d and preferably corresponding in length to the transverse width of the latter as shown in Fig. l. The slot 26 is designed to accommodate a novel locking means arranged to co-operate with the previously mentioned shoulders I5 for the purpose of providing the opposite end wall of the container body. In its illustrated form'the aforesaid novel locking means comprises foldable members adapted to extend through the slot 26 so as to lie in external and internal surface engagement with the end panel 24 and into co-operative contact with the shoulders I5 to fix said end panel and its associated elements in upright relation to the bottom panel If! to constitute said other end wall of the container body as will appear more fully hereinafter. Specifically the illustrated locking members include major end flaps 27 foldably con nected with the side panels II in substantially conterminous relation thereto in any suitable manner as by means of score lines 28. The major end flaps 21 are continued in the form of auxiliary end flaps 29 foldable relatively to the or end flaps 2'1, for instance, on score lines 36. the illustrated example, the auxiliary end flaps I29 terminate in locking tongues 3| foldably connected with the auxiliary end flaps 29, for instance, by means of score lines 32.

The example of the novel container selected for purposes of illustration and description further includes a foldable cover whereby the body of the container is normally closed, which foldable cover is capable of being adjusted to and supported in an upright folded display position in which the contents of the container bod are exposed to View and so as to be easily removable for distribution to prospective purchaser's.

In the form shown, the cover comprises a section 33 foldably connected with the end panel :2

24, for instance, by means of a score line 34, and a section 35 foldable relatively to the section 33, for instance, on a score line 36. To enhance the ornamental appearance of the cover when in its display position and to increase the surface cover may be maintained in its normal position to close the container body, and whereby in addition the cover may be supported in a folded upright display position to expose the contents of said container body. In the illustrated example, the last-mentioned locking means consists of a plurality of tongues 39 independently connected with the cover section 35 and foldable relatively thereto, for instance, on score lines Gt. To facilitate the use of said tongues 39 in amannor to be set forth more clearly hereinafter, the outer corners thereof preferably are rounded as illustrated.

In foldably setting up the container for use, any suitable method .or sequence of manipulating the parts may be followed. For instance, the side panels I I with the associated panel I3 glued or otherwise secured in surface connection therewith may be folded on the score lines I2 or their equivalent, into upright relation to the bottom panel III to constitute the side walls of the container body. The flaps 22 may then be folded inwardly on the score lines 23 into overlapping upright relation after which the panel It may be folded on the score line I I into upright external surface engagement with the overlapping flaps 22. The panel I8 may then be folded on the score line I9 downwardly into interior surface engagement with the overlapping panels 22 and the bottom panel folded on the score line 22 into interior surface engagement with the bottom T in.

panel II), as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. In this position the aforesaid foldable means extends between the upright side panels II to constitute the one end wall of the container body and to assist in fixing said side panels I I and the associated panels I3 in such upright position.

To complete the opposite end wall of the container body, the end panel 2! may be folded upwardly on the score line 25 or its equivalent, into upright relation to the bottom panel ID. The major end flaps 21 and the associated auxiliary end flaps 29 and tongues 3| are then inserted through the slot 26 as shown in Fig. 2, so as to extend into the container body and so as to adjust the major end flaps 21 into external surface engagement with the upright end panel 24. The parts are so arranged and dimensioned that in this position the score lines 30 are in registry with the slot 26. As the next step in the assembling of the container the auxiliary end flaps 29 may be folded in succession in opposite directions on the score lines 38 to adjust said auxiliary end flaps 29 into interior surface engagement with the upright end panel 26. The locking tongues 3! are folded on the score lines 32 to extend at approximately right angles to said auxiliary end flaps 29 and so as to lie in surface engagement with the said panels II and behind and in edgewise contact with the upright shoulders I5. At this stage the locking tongues 3I in co-operation with the upright shoulders I5, accordingly lock the end panel 24, the major end flapsZ'I and the auxiliary end flaps 29 in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said container body as illustrated in Figs, 2 and 3.

In some instances the locking tongues BI may be omitted and the associate panels I3 extended to bring the locking shoulders I5 sufficiently close to the upright endpanel 24 for co-operation with the free ends of the auxiliary end flaps 29 to thereby firmly lock the parts in position in the same way as previously described.

When the container body is filled with merchandise the latter will co-operate with the auxiliary end flaps 29 and the tongues 3| if present, and with the bottom flap 2G and panel I8 to maintain the end walls of the container body in operative position. It is to be noted however even when the container body is empty that the auxiliary end flaps 29, the end panel 24 and the major end flaps 21 are firmly fixed in their upright positions to constitute the one end Wall of the container body. This is due to the co-operation of the tongues 3! with the shoulders I5 or if said tongues 3| are not present in the arrangement, with the corresponding co-operation of the free ends of the auxiliary end flaps 29 with said shoulders I 5,

If it is desired to adjust the foldable cover to its normal position, the combined sections 33 and 35 are folded on the score line 34 to adjust said cover to its closed position and the tongues 39 are extended into the container body in internal surface engagement with the panel 38 and between the latter and the merchandise in said container body if the latter is filled.

To adjust the cover to its folded upright display position the cover section 33 is folded outwardly on the score line 34 and the cover section 35 is folded inwardly on the score linef3 5 into approximate surface engagement withthe cover section 33 as shown in Fig. 3. At any appropriate point in the last-named operations the tongues 39 are individually inserted into, place between the respective auxiliary end flaps 29and the e n t l panel 24 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. At this stage the locking tongues 39 in cooperation with the auxiliary end flaps 29 and the end panel 24 accordingly support the cover in the folded upright display position illustrated in Fig. 3 in which the advertising matter on the cover section 35 and the extension 37 thereof is clearly visible and the contents of the container body are exposed to View for easy removal at the will of the sales person.

The novel arrangement illustrated and described herein provides a folding container of maximum efliciency which is easily and quickly set up and which is correspondingly easy to dismantle to a collapsed fiat condition. The arrangement is particularly adapted for use in the provision of relatively shallow display containers which in existing forms have been difficult to produce and are generally of flimsy unstable construction. With the illustrated and described novel arrangement the container when set up for use, regardless as to whether the body thereof is shallow or not, is of maximum rigidity and accordingly in all of its forms is extremely efficient,

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A folding container including a body comprising a bottom panel, side panels foldably connected with said bottom panel along opposite edges thereof and foldable into upright relation to said bottom panel to constitute the side walls of the container body, associate panels foldably connected with said side panels and foldable into surface contact therewith, said associate panels being secured to said side panels and being of less length to form interior upright shoulders in opposed relation at one end of said container body,-foldab1e means constituting one end wall of said container body, an end panel foldably connected with an end of said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto, said end panel being provided at an intermediate point with a transverse slot, major end flaps foldably connected with said side panels and foldable into external surface engagement with said upright end panel, auxiliary end flaps foldably connected with said major end flaps and extending through the slot of said end panel into interior surface contact therewith, locking tongues foldably connected with said auxiliary end flaps and foldable into surface engagement with said side panel and into contact with said upright shoulders whereby said end panel, major end flaps and auxiliary end flaps are locked in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said container body, a cover foldably connected with said end panel and itself foldable at an intermediate point, and a plurality of tongues foldably connected with said cover and arranged to extend into said container body to maintain said cover in its closed position, and being adapted for insertion between said auxiliary end flaps and said end panel to support said cover in a folded upright display position to expose the contents of said container body.

2. A folding container including a body comprising a bottom panel, side panels foldably connected with said bottom panel along opposite edges thereof and foldable into upright relation to said bottom panel to constitute the side walls of the container body, associate panels foldably connected with said side panels and foldable into surface contact therewith, said associate panels being secured to said side panels and forming interior upright shoulders in opposed relation at one end of said container body, foldable means constituting one end wall of said container body, an end panel foldably connected with an end of said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto, said end panel being provided with a transverse slot, major end flaps foldably connected with said side panels and foldable into external surface engagement with said upright end panel, auxiliary end flaps foldably connected with said major end flaps and extending through the slot of said end panel into interior surface contact therewith and having their free ends in engagement with said upright shoulders whereby said end panel, major end flaps and auxiliary end flaps are locked in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said container body, a cover foldable upon itself and foldably connected with said end panel, and a plurality of tongues foldably connected with said cover and arranged to extend into said container body to maintain said cover in its closed position, and being adapted for insertion between said auxiliary end flaps and said end panel to support said cover in a folded upright display position to expose the contents of said container body.

3. A folding container including a body comprising a bottom panel, side panels foldably connected with said bottom panel along opposite edges thereof and foldable into upright relation to said bottom panel to constitute the side walls of the container body, interior upright shoulders on said side panels in opposed relation at one end of said container body, foldable means constituting an end wall of said container body, an end panel foldably connected with said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto, said end panel being provided with a slot, a plurality of foldable end flaps foldably connected with said side panels and extending through said slot, said end flaps being in external and interior surface engagement with said upright end panel and having their free ends in engagement with said shoulders whereby said end panel and end flaps are locked in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said container body, a cover foldable upon itself and foldably connected with said end panel, and a plurality of tongues foldably connected with said cover and arranged to extend into said container body to maintain said cover in its closed position, and being adapted for insertion between said end flaps and said end panel to support said cover in a folded upright display position to expose the contents of said container body.

4. A folding container including a body comprising a bottom panel, side members foldably connected with said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto to constitute the side walls of said body, interior upright shoulders on the inner faces of said side members in opposed relation at a distance from one end of said body, associated means foldably connected respectively with said bottom panel and side members and co-operating to constitute one end wall of said body, a slotted end panel foldably connected with said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto, foldable flaps foldably connected with said side members and extending foldably through the slot of said end panel so as to lie in exterior and interior surface contact therewith and engaging said shoulders for maintaining said end panel and foldable flaps in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said body, a foldable cover for normally closing said body, and means for supporting said cover in a folded upright display position to expose the contents of said body.

5. A container including a body consisting of a bottom, upright side members constituting the side walls of said body, interior shoulders on said side members located at a distance from one end of said body, upright means constituting one end wall of said body, a slotted member in upright relation to said bottom, foldable means extending foldably through said slot in opposite directions so as to lie in exterior and interior surface contact with said slotted member and engaging said shoulders for maintaining said slotted member in upright position and co-operating therewith to constitute the other end wall of said body, a cover foldably connected with one of said end Walls for closing said body, and means for supporting said cover in an upright display position to expose the contents of said body.

6. A folding container including a body comprising a bottom panel, side members foldably connected With said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto to constitute the side walls of said body, interior shoulders on said side members in opposed relation at a distance from one end of said body, associated means ioldably connected respectively with said bottom panel and side members and co-operating to constitute one end wall of said body, a slotted end panel foldably connected with said bottom panel and foldable into upright relation thereto, and fold able flaps foldably connected with said side members and extending foldably through the slot of said end panel so as to lie in exterior and interior surface contact therewith and engaging said shoulders for maintaining said end panel and foldable flaps in associated upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said body.

7. A container including a body comprising a bottom, side members foldably connected with said bottom and constituting the side walls of said body, associated foldable means connected respectively with said side members and bottom to constitute one end wall of said body, a slotted member foldably connected with said bottom, foldable locking means foldabl connected with said side members and extending through the slot of said slotted member in exterior and interior surface contact therewith, and means within said body co-operating with said foldable looking means to maintain said slotted member in upright position to constitute the other end wall of said body.

8. A container including a body comprising a bottom, side members foldably connected with said bottom and constituting the side walls of said body, means constituting one end wall of said body, and a panel and associated foldable end flaps foldably connected respectively with said bottom and said side members, said foldable end fiaps being located partly within and partly outside of said body and covering both the inner and outer surfaces of the panel for looking said side members and said panel and associated foldable end flaps together in upright relation to constitute the other end wall of said body.

HAROLD L. MYERS. 

